Biden’s supporters want to ‘let Joe be Joe’ — but his stumbles are now under a bigger spotlight
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is on a public and private blitz to shake off concerns about his cognitive capacities. But with unabating public doubts about his fitness to serve, Biden’s every move is now under a withering microscope as any potential stumble risks becoming magnified and delivering another blow to his candidacy. To wit: As he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit event Thursday evening, Biden flubbed and called him “President Putin,” prompting audible gasps from the audience. He corrected himself, saying, “I’m so focused on beating Putin” before ceding the lectern to Zelenskyy. Shortly thereafter at a news conference, Biden errantly referred to “Vice President Trump.”
In ‘blue wall’ push, Biden defiantly says he’s ‘not going anywhere’ as he slams Trump, Project 2025
DETROIT (AP) — President Joe Biden is forcefully defying the growing number of critics in his own party who have called on him to exit the race, pivoting to warnings about a second Donald Trump term and declaring he is “not done yet.” As a raucous Detroit crowd chanted “don’t you quit!” and “we got your back!” Biden said again that he was still running for reelection and vowed to “shine a spotlight” on Trump. The show of force from Biden at the Friday evening rally was part of his team’s relentless sprint to convince fretting lawmakers, nervous donors and a skeptical electorate that at the age of 81, he is still capable of being president.
Trump heads to Pennsylvania for pre-convention rally as VP announcement looms
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump will have one last chance Saturday to dramatically unveil his vice presidential pick on a rally stage before the Republican National Convention kicks off next week. Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania, at the Butler Farm Show just outside Pittsburgh, comes as the former reality TV star and tabloid hound continues to tease his pick for maximum attention. But Trump has made clear in recent days that his preference is to dramatically reveal his pick live at the convention — something the ratings-obsessed former president has said would make the proceedings more “interesting” and “exciting.”
Deeply Democratic Milwaukee wrestles with hosting Trump, Republican National Convention
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee loves its Miller Beer, Brewers baseball and “Bronze Fonz” statue. The deepest blue city in swing state Wisconsin, Milwaukee also loves Democrats. So it can be hard for some to swallow that Milwaukee is playing host to former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention next week while rival Chicago, the larger city 90 miles to the south, welcomes President Joe Biden and Democrats in August. It didn’t help smooth things over with wary Democrats after Trump used the word “horrible” when talking about Milwaukee just a month before the convention. Still, Milwaukee officials point to the economic benefits and a chance to show off the city and Wisconsin to a national audience.
Alec Baldwin weeps in court as judge announces involuntary manslaughter case is dismissed midtrial
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has thrown out the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin in the middle of his trial and said it cannot be filed again. The 66-year-old actor wept and hugged his lawyers and his wife after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced her decision on Friday. She dismissed the case based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense. Baldwin, the star of “30 Rock” and frequent host of “Saturday Night Live,” could have gotten 18 months in prison if he had been convicted.
Houston community groups strain to keep feeding and cooling a city battered by repeat storms
HOUSTON (AP) — In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, fresh food and cool air are coming from Houston community groups that have honed their disaster services in a city frequently battered by extreme weather. Nonprofits and mutual aid organizations are bringing relief for some of the millions without power after the Category 1 storm knocked electricity out across the major American city. But some find their resources drained by the repeat extreme weather. And it is only the beginning of what experts say will be a busy hurricane season. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Sally Ray says climate change requires donors to proactively help build the capacity of emergency services.
A Taiwan-based Buddhist charity attempts to take the founding nun’s message of compassion global
HUALIEN, Taiwan (AP) — Tzu Chi is an international Buddhist organization led by the Venerable Cheng Yen, an 87-year-old nun living in Taiwan. Over five decades, the nun whose work began with a small group of housewives has expanded into a global organization. Tzu Chi has millions of members across 67 countries, including the United States. The organization follows the principle of humanistic or engaged Buddhism, which emphasizes loving compassion, community engagement and action over rituals and prayer. The organization has also been able to successfully recruit business tycoons and industry leaders across several countries to help raise money for its various efforts, such as disaster relief, education and a host of social programs.
Historically Black Cancer Alley town splits over a planned grain terminal in Louisiana
WALLACE, La. (AP) — In a clash over the past versus the future, some descendants of enslaved people in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, are fighting to keep a grain terminal from being built in their historic Black neighborhood. The Greenfield Wallace Grain Export Facility would take in and export grain byproducts via trucks, trains and barges. Some residents are concerned construction and pollution from the facility will destroy the historic Black community of Wallace. Other residents hope it will bring jobs and revitalize the town. Without it, they fear Wallace’s population will continue to decline.
The collapse of a school in northern Nigeria leaves 22 students dead, officials say
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Police say a two-story school collapsed during morning classes in north-central Nigeria, killing 22 students and sending rescuers on a frantic search for more than 100 people trapped in the rubble. The Saints Academy college in Plateau state’s Busa Buji community collapsed shortly after students, many of whom were 15 years old or younger, arrived for classes. A total of 154 students were trapped but 132 of them were rescued and were being treated for injuries, Plateau police spokesman Alfred Alabo said. Twenty-two students were killed. Rescue and health workers as well as security forces had been deployed at the scene immediately after the collapse.
The son of Asia’s richest man gets married in the year’s most extravagant wedding
MUMBAI, India (AP) — The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, has married his longtime girlfriend in what many have dubbed the wedding of the year. It’s being attended by global celebrities, business tycoons and politicians, highlighting the billionaire’s staggering wealth and rising clout. The wedding rituals, including exchanging garlands and walking around the sacred fire, began Friday and were completed after midnight. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebrations took place at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, and the family home. The guest list included former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson; Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser; and Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake and David Beckham, according to local media.
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